Ladies and gentlemen, the following public service message is brought to you by your friends from D-Generation X, who would like to remind each and every one of you that if you're not down with that, we've got two words for you... Financing referendum for new Nassau Coliseum rejected (espn.go.com)

I've been following this story for years and it was readily apparent that this was the last straw; expect the Islanders to move once their lease is up in 2015. Only real question is whether they'll join the Nets in Brooklyn or leave the area completely.

I'm disheartened because this is going to result in the Coliseum sitting barren and millions in tourism dollars lost; are they so stupid enough as to think they're still going to be able to get top-end concerts and whatnot to fill an arena universally agreed as a dump on a consistent basis? Yeah, I know I don't live on the Island any more, but sometimes SOME investment in things is worthwhile, especially when it involves one of the cornerstones of the area... *sighs*

smark/net attack Advisory System Status is: Elevated(Holds; June 18, 2006)While the switch from Cena to RVD should alleviate some complaints, the inevitability of the belt's return to Cena (note where Summerslam is this year) and the poor initial showing by the new ECW are enough to keep the indicator where it is for now. The pieces are in place, though, especially on RAW, for improvements to be made to the IWC's psyche in the near future.

I'm disheartened because this is going to result in the Coliseum sitting barren and millions in tourism dollars lost; are they so stupid enough as to think they're still going to be able to get top-end concerts and whatnot to fill an arena universally agreed as a dump on a consistent basis? Yeah, I know I don't live on the Island any more, but sometimes SOME investment in things is worthwhile, especially when it involves one of the cornerstones of the area... *sighs*

(edited by Texas Kelly on 2.8.11 0939)

You took the words right out of my mouth. What really gets me is how people were against this because it would had cost homeowners $58 a year for the Coliseum and that was too much for them. Well now, with Nassau county in a ton of debt and the Coliseum being shut down in a couple of years, I won't be shocked to see the government raise the taxes by several hundred to make up for the loss of revenue. It especially hurts me because I work right next to the Coliseum and this vote basically tells me I have to start looking for a new job soon since the hotel and surrounding area will be a ghost town pretty soon. Though they are saying that a new scaled down Coliseum can still be built before the Islanders lease ends, so there's hope, I guess.

Ladies and gentlemen, the following public service message is brought to you by your friends from D-Generation X, who would like to remind each and every one of you that if you're not down with that, we've got two words for you...

Originally posted by supersalvadoranThough they are saying that a new scaled down Coliseum can still be built before the Islanders lease ends, so there's hope, I guess.

I don't see much reason for hope. This is now the *third* time Wang's taken it in the business end on this issue; I think he's had enough and will walk away. The county government should have gotten behind the LAST privately-funded plan he proposed for the Coliseum, but when Hempstead town keeps electing Republicans in defiance of logic, this is what you get.

smark/net attack Advisory System Status is: Elevated(Holds; June 18, 2006)While the switch from Cena to RVD should alleviate some complaints, the inevitability of the belt's return to Cena (note where Summerslam is this year) and the poor initial showing by the new ECW are enough to keep the indicator where it is for now. The pieces are in place, though, especially on RAW, for improvements to be made to the IWC's psyche in the near future.

Ladies and gentlemen, the following public service message is brought to you by your friends from D-Generation X, who would like to remind each and every one of you that if you're not down with that, we've got two words for you...I honestly don't get why so many people keep suggesting contraction. It's never gonna happen. The players will never support losing the jobs and the money involved (especially after getting curb-stomped by the owners in the NHL's last significant labor dispute), and there are cities out there that are able and willing to support a team. Look what Phoenix (in particular) has been able to do in the last 2 seasons with nothing... imagine what they'd be able to do if they had ownership and money to play with rather than living a scrapping existence.

Jim Balsillie will get a franchise for Hamilton before any team gets contracted, seriously.

smark/net attack Advisory System Status is: Elevated(Holds; June 18, 2006)While the switch from Cena to RVD should alleviate some complaints, the inevitability of the belt's return to Cena (note where Summerslam is this year) and the poor initial showing by the new ECW are enough to keep the indicator where it is for now. The pieces are in place, though, especially on RAW, for improvements to be made to the IWC's psyche in the near future.

Originally posted by supersalvadoranYou took the words right out of my mouth. What really gets me is how people were against this because it would had cost homeowners $58 a year for the Coliseum and that was too much for them.

Why should public tax dollars be used to fund it?

We're having the same issue in Edmonton. The Oilers need a new arena, the owner of the team says that he wants to build it, but wants public funds. Of course, he's a billionaire, worth $2billion. The main issue we have is...WHY? Why should tax dollars go into an arena for a team owner that's worth billions?

Originally posted by OliverWhy should public tax dollars be used to fund it?

We're having the same issue in Edmonton. The Oilers need a new arena, the owner of the team says that he wants to build it, but wants public funds. Of course, he's a billionaire, worth $2billion. The main issue we have is...WHY? Why should tax dollars go into an arena for a team owner that's worth billions?

Here's the thing: it's not just an NHL arena for Wang that they were going for here. The new Coliseum would host far more entertainment acts for Long Island which would bring far more revenue to the surrounding area. Without the Coliseum, we risk losing everything, not just the Islanders. You think acts are going to go out of their way an extra hour east of the city to a dump to play? Especially when Madison Square Garden is being modernized and the Barclays Center is being built in Brooklyn?

Yes, Wang was the biggest supporter of this resolution and would have had the most to gain from this. But he wasn't the only one who needed the resolution to pass. And at the end of the day, he isn't the biggest loser in this; me and my co-workers are. Now we're very worried about the future of our jobs. So yeah, it would had been tax dollars used to build it. But now, it's wages lost for us, house values falling for us in the future, and more raising of the taxes anyway to make up for the loss of revenue from the Coliseum. It may be a baised view since I live and work within a 3-mile radius of the Coliseum, but if we don't at least rebuild the Coliseum and make a strong effort to keep the Islanders, it could end up being the ultimate lose-lose situation and I may have to move far,far away from the only area I've lived in to make an affordable living.

Ladies and gentlemen, the following public service message is brought to you by your friends from D-Generation X, who would like to remind each and every one of you that if you're not down with that, we've got two words for you...To add to what Salvadoran was saying, the only reason the proposal was allowed to pass this far was because it involved public funding. Wang submitted proposals on at least two separate occasions that wouldn't have resulted in a dime coming out of the pockets of Nassau taxpayers, but on both occasions, the local town government (not the county government) refused to sign off on the zoning changes that would have been needed.

It makes this quote from the original article seem quite hilarious, because it's obvious in question the voter in question was not informed on the situation and likely voted no just because one of the local papers told her to:

"If it was so good why didn't the owner pay for it himself?" said Mary Beth Molloy after voting no.

smark/net attack Advisory System Status is: Elevated(Holds; June 18, 2006)While the switch from Cena to RVD should alleviate some complaints, the inevitability of the belt's return to Cena (note where Summerslam is this year) and the poor initial showing by the new ECW are enough to keep the indicator where it is for now. The pieces are in place, though, especially on RAW, for improvements to be made to the IWC's psyche in the near future.

I am a die hard Islander fan - enjoyed the Dynasty years and dealth with the long periods in between playoffs - and even I thinlk they should move. Not contract - mnove. In the early 80s, the Islanders were one of the toughest tickets to get in town. They were always sold out and the locals loved them. Bit afte ryears of putting a bad product on the ice and crappy management, the fan base went away. It is trying to make a come back, but without a new stadium, they are goners.

Go to Canada. Go somepace where they appreciate hockey and are starving for a team. Hell, go to one of the Dakotas who would DIE for any professional team. Look at Oklahoma City - that places LOVES their basketball team. Throw the Islanders in North or South Dakota and the people their would completely embrace them.

Just don't contract them. This was once a proud franchsed that has many Hall of Famers assoctiated with it. Contractring the Islanders is shitting all over them and their legacy.